Synthesis of cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers of diacylferrocences

The addition of trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) to diacylferrocenes [Fc (COR) 2 ] (R = Me, Et, Ph, p-ClC 6 H 4 , m-ClC 6 H 4 , o-ClC 6 H 4 , p-MeOC 6 H 4 , Fc = C 5 H 4 FeC 5 H 4 ), catalysed by zinc iodide an acetonitrile provided the corresponding cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers in moderate to high yields. Factors affecting the reaction and yields of adducts were investigated. In addition, the adduct of 1,1'-diacetylferrocene was structurally determined by X-ray crystallography.